As magical as decorating for the holidays may be, taking it all down may be one of the most dreaded household tasks. As tempting as it may be to rip it all down and stuff it in boxes to deal with next year, being organized and methodical will significantly help you when it's time to decorate again. Here are some post-holiday home decor to-do’s that can help you as you pack up this year's holiday decor.

Select smart packaging

Invest in storage solutions for your decorations, including a wreath, ornament, figurine and wrapping paper storage bags. Whether you're selecting bins, boxes, or bags, select transparent packaging so you can easily identify the contents when you need to access them next year. Transparent packaging may also help prevent damage, so you can easily stack items by weight.

Vacuum seal bags work well for storing blankets, tablecloths, tablecloths, and tree skirts, and freezer bags can help corral smaller items.

Label everything

Every package should have a label. Whether you use a label maker or a Sharpie to hand label, labeling everything before you put it in storage will make decorating easier.

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Group items together

To help your decorating process next year be faster and smoother, take a photo of the decoration, add it to an album on your phone, and package the vignette with the album label. For example, if you like how your staircase looked this holiday season, snap a photo and package the garland, ribbon, bells, and whatever other accessories you used together so you can easily recreate the look next year.

Untangle Christmas lights

Instead of throwing the lights back in a bin to deal with next year, untangle any that need detangling and carefully wrap them up, tying them with a zip tie. Next year, you'll simply have to snip the zip tie, and you'll have tangle-free Christmas lights.

Throw out damaged items and donate the items you didn't use

If any broken or damaged items don't have any sentimental value, throw them out so you don't have to deal with them next year. Likewise, if there are decor pieces that you didn't display this year and know you won't move forward, put these in a donation box.

Update the holiday card list

If you send out holiday cards, update next year's list before you throw out this year's cards and envelopes. Accessing an updated list next year will save you the time and headache of chasing down addresses, sending out late cards, and having your cards returned.

Package the Elf accessories

If the Elf on the Shelf visits your home during the holiday season, make this tradition as easy as possible. Package the Elf and all its games and accessories together so you don't have to reinvent the wheel next year.

The holidays are a magical yet incredibly busy time of year. Doing what you can when you take down your decor to help you begin next year's holiday season feeling organized and in control can help you end the holiday season feeling great.

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A Simple Post-Holiday Home Decor Checklist to Stay Organized